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Scioscia reaches milestone with 2,000th game

Scioscia reaches milestone with 2,000th game

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Mike Scioscia

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ANAHEIM -- It has been 13 years since Mike Scioscia managed his first game with the Angels, a 3-2 loss to the Yankees to open the 2000 season.

And when Scioscia submitted his lineup card on Monday against the Mariners, he joined a group that consists of just eight people, those who have managed at least 2,000 games with the same American League team.

Though he has a long way to go to the top -- he's 5,591 games behind former Philadelphia Athletics manager Connie Mack -- Scioscia is the first manager to hit 2,000 with one AL team since former Twins skipper Tom Kelly, who retired in 2001.

"I couldn't even tell you how many games it's been," Scioscia said. "It's still fresh. I love it. We're going to keep working towards that second championship. That's our goal."

Scioscia has an all-time record of 1,094-905, a .547 winning percentage, not including the 2002 World Series championship.

Compared to other managers he has had, ex-Angel Garret Anderson, who was a part of that World Series title, said Scioscia's hunger for winning is nearly unparalleled.

"The first few years, he would always say, 'Hey, we're going to get this game today,' " Anderson said. "I heard a lot of guys say that, but after a few years, I started realizing that he meant what he was saying."

Of course, as time has passed, Scioscia's experience in decision-making has made him a better manager, he said, yet it hasn't necessarily made him a different manager.

He has still got the same coaching style he has always had. He expects as much from his players today as he did back when he first began to manage.

"If we do something wrong, he tells us that we're doing it wrong," rookie Mike Trout said. "But he always gives us positive thoughts. He wants to win."

The games have gone by fast for Scioscia. It may be his 2,000th, but a fresh game with different decisions to make each night and different opponents to try to defeat, it hasn't seemed like nearly as many, he said.

"There's a passion in all of us," Scioscia said, "and I think that makes time go by quickly."